In times of despair, there is no one to turn to but the secrets that unfold from the ones you once trusted.

 

FADE IN

INT. CHURCH BUILDING – DAY

A little girl with two puffs of hair with a PINK bow is seated on the right side of an older woman wearing a pink fedora hat. Her eyes wander around the room, seeking out.

PASTOR

The devil stripped everything. Everything! Away from Job. He questioned, he didn’t understand but God was boasting. God was happy. And Job, that man remained faithful. No matter what, we have God at our side. Be grateful for that, and keep the faith. We are beyond blessed.

WOMAN

Amen Pastor!

OLDER WOMAN 

Hallelujah! 

The girl looks up to the woman and glances at her mouth, mimicking the sound. Hallelujah. The lady then looked back into her eyes, her own softening.

OLDER WOMAN

Astrid baby listen to me, God is good. God is great, and God is kind. Be grateful forever even when it feels like you have nothing. Thank God everyday. He knows. Trust me.

PASTOR

Let us all rise in prayer.

The church rose in unison, lifting their hands in prayer. The little girl looked  both ways then lifted her hands, and whispered a prayer.

BLACKOUT

INT. HOUSE – ASTRID’S ART ROOM – EVENING

ASTRID FRIMPONG, a teenage dark skin girl with long locs, picks up her paintbrush and continues to paint on the half complete canvas, forming the shape of a person. 

ASTRID (V. O.)  

My Grandma used to always tell me to be grateful and never take anything for granted. To thank the Lord for what I had. Although I listened I didn’t see this act of giving thanks as a life priority. I never felt the need to say that I was grateful. 

ASTRID (V. O.)  

My life wasn’t as picture perfect as I displayed it to be. So why say thank you to anyone.. for a life that resembles a blank canvas with dried up paint.

 (beat)  

But I should have listened.

ASTRID (V. O.)  

Five months ago on this exact day. My sister was taken from me. They pronounced her as a missing person 6 hours after my dad received the last text.  

ASTRID backs away from the painting, examining the portrait of her sister. Tears form in her eyes. 

ASTRID (V. O.) ( CONT’D)

She hasn’t been found, I don’t even believe she’d been searched for. The authorities took a lead on the scene but it didn’t last long. 

(beat)

ASTRID (V. O.) (CONT’D)

(mocking tone)

  Unfortunately there are a few tracks leading up to her disappearance. There are other cases that we must take action on. May I suggest taking into account the fact that she was a young adult? Maybe she found a place and left. You know, teens these days want their freedom.

ASTRID (V.O) (CONT’D)

They kept referring to her in past tense as if she was dead. As if she was an article meant to drift away in the past. Even their “hypothesis” on what happened was pure bullshit. 

ASTRID (V.O) (CONT’D) 

Her existence is the glue, keeping everything together. 

(Beat) 

Without her I feel incomplete.. and so does the Frimpong family.

CUT TO

SERIES OF SHOTS

INT. HOUSE – BEDROOM- NIGHT

CAMERA WHIPS AND DOLLIES IN QUICK, catching PRISCILLA  FRIMPONG, early 50s, kneeling upon her bed, wailing in prayer. 

ASTRID (V.O.) (CONT’D)

Mom couldn’t speak for weeks. At night I would hear her praying for her baby back.

SCENE FADES INTO, DANIEL FRIMPONG, mid 50s, drinking on the couch.

ASTRID (V.O.) (CONT’D)

Dad was drinking, nonstop. It’s funny because he was so against getting drunk, now it seems like that’s the only lifestyle he’s ever known.

CLOSE UP ON GLORIA ADWOA BOATENG, early 70s, stapling a flier onto a tree. 

ASTRID (V.O.) (CONT’D)

Grandma Gloria is one of the last people standing with hope and effort. Still posting on Facebook and putting up papers. 

ASTRID looks at her painting. CLOSE UP ON THE EYE OF ESTHER stands an image of a family.

ASTIRD

A situation like this could turn a family’s world upside down. But I’m ready to flip the switch. 

FADE INTO NEXT SCENE

INT. HOUSE ASTRID’S LIVING ROOM- NIGHT

The sound of a doorbell rings as ASTRID makes her way to the WOODEN door. She opens the door with no hesitation, a smile bright on your face. 

Enter ELIJAH LEE, 18, of Filipino descent wearing comfortable clothing. 

ASTRID

Eli! I’ve missed you. 

They share an intimate hug.

ELIJAH

I’d miss me too, you know.

ASTRID laughs lightly as ELIJAH places a kiss on her cheek. They walk into the house and head straight down the staircase leading to the basement.

The walls are painted a dusty blue. All the furniture is brown, the couch leather peeling off.

ELIJAH sets down a plastic bag on the couch. 

ELIJAH

I bought Lays, specifically for you. And a whole bunch of other shit.

ASTRID 

Thank you. 

(Beat)

ASTRID (CONT’D)

Do you ever feel like we should switch stuff around here?

ELIJAH

I mean, I don’t live here but these couches definitely need to be thrown out. 

ASTRID

 (laughing)

Yeah. I just don’t want anything to change. We’ve had enough of that. Anyway, can you pass me the laptop?

ELIJAH 

Isn’t that Esther’s?

ELIJAH passes her the Rose Gold laptop with stickers on the front that read: “Essie”, “Black Girls in Politics”, “Made in Gold Coast”. ASTRID grabs the laptop and puts in the passcode.

ASTRID

Yeah mine’s been bugging out so I’ve been using hers.

ELIJAH

Oh okay. How does that feel?

ASTRID blinks feeling tense from such a fair question asked. She breaks eye contact with Elijah to check the clock. 

ASTRID

(Stalling)

Wait, where are the rest of them?

ELIJAH

I’m not sure let me text Eman-

EMMANUEL 

We’re here.

Enter

LEENA JACKSON, 17, Italian, brunette with glasses 

EMMANUEL BROWN, 18, African American man, with dimples. 

JASMINE MARTENIZ, 16, Honurdan, curly hair. 

ELIJAH

What the hell? You can’t sneak up on people like that!

He throws a pillow aiming at Emmanuel yet misses, hitting Leena instead.

EMMANUEL

(Sarcastically)

Great aim bro.

ELIJAH

Sorry Lee. 

ASTRID greets them individually in a hug. She hugs Emmanuel first. 

ASTRID

How the hell did you all get here anyway? In sync.

EMMANUEL 

Carpooled in Jas’s. Then used that spare under the carpet.

JASMINE

And it’s never happening again. I’m being dead serious. Learn how to walk.

EMMANUEL

You know you love it.

JASMINE

Anyway, can we please watch something not marvel related today? I’m sick of Tom Holland’s face.

LEENA

We’d all rather sit here consuming his face than whatever you have in mind. We are not watching any of that true crime nonsense. 

JASMINE

You’re all just haters. That stuff is necessary, I’m telling you.

JASMINE sits back on the couch onto the white bag filled with snacks.

ELIJAH

Move your butt. You’re crushing the chips.

ASTRID

I’m trying to set up the computer system. 

LEENA

Why do we need to hook the computer up? Just go on Disney we’re watching End Game whether Jas likes it or not. 

ASTRID

Actually, we’re taking a trip down memory lane. 

EMMANUEL

Meaning?

ASTRID

Look what I found.

ASTRID turns the laptop to them. She presses play on a video of elementary aged students dressed in white and blue. 

LEENA

No way you still have this. I thought we all went home to burn it.

ASTRID

With my mom and her vlogs? You know this wasn’t going anywhere.

ELIJAH

I love you but I don’t come all the way here to watch us sing at the winter showcase.

ASTRID

Stop, it will be cute. And we’re graduating. Let’s reminisce. Emmanuel please work your tech magic and hook it up to the TV. 

EMMANUEL 

(in a whisper)

Mind you this TV Magic is me just putting in a wire and clicking start.

EMMANUEL (CON’TD)

Done. It should work now.

ASTRID

It does.

LEENA

I really don’t want to watch this. 

JASMINE

Yeah I miss Tom now.

They are all seated on the couch watching their younger selves with embarrassment on their faces. A sound comes from the laptop over powering the voices of some of their younger selves displayed on the TV. Astrid mutes the laptop. 

ASTRID

Sorry I don’t even know what that was.

Okay let’s watch.

EMMANUEL

This is embarrassing. 

ELIJAH

I signed up for the show to get with the dance girls and I still didn’t. 

LEENA

I love watching your failures. 

ASTRID

Mention a dancer and you might just fail again.

ELIJAH

(puts his hands in surrender)

Dancers? Only artists for my eyes.

The notification pops up again, covering the top of the screen.

ASTRID

Can you please go turn that off?

EMMANUEL

Wait, read that.

The notification reads: REMIND ME (Snooze on Permanently)

UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT BOARDING AT 5:45

1/3

JASMINE

Flight, where we going?

ASTRID

That’s not my laptop.

EMMANUEL

Astrid, that says January third.

ASTRID

Give it to me.

Leena hands Astrid the rose-colored Macbook. Astrid scrolls intensely at the screen, clicking away.

LEENA

Have you ever looked at it? 

ASTRID

Not really. I haven’t opened it since. 

ASTRID (COND’T) 

When the fuck was she going to New Haven?

Guys like I’ve never seen this before. I’m so confused.

EMMANUEL 

Calm down. Just recall, she didn’t tell you about any trip?

ASTRID

No. She wouldn’t hide it either so I’m lost. She always told us where she was going.

LEENA

Maybe this one slipped her mind?

ELIJAH

Maybe you should just close the laptop?

ASTRID

This is new information on the day my sister disappeared and you want me to close the laptop?

ELIJAH

Well I can tell you’re getting stressed. Just chill.

ASTRID

I can’t just chill Elijah. My sister has been gone for five months. Five months! I finally found something and you’re telling me to chill?

LEENA

There’s no reason to start screaming?

ASTRID

 (defensively)

Leena what the fuck? I haven’t screamed once.

JASMINE

Guys stop arguing. Astrid, why the hell would Esther be going to New Haven on some random Saturday in January?

ASTRID paces around the room. She runs her hands through her locs. Emmanuel rises by her side to calm her down. 

ASTRID

I have no clue. Like guys, what should I do? 

ELIJAH

Do you think your parents knew?

ASTRID

My mom doesn’t keep things from me. Or at least she didn’t. I don’t know.

EMMANUEL 

You gotta tell them. This is like serious evidence of something, don’t know what but it’s something. 

LEENA

You actually mean to tell me this whole time you’ve never opened up her laptop?

ASTRID

I have. I guess I just haven’t stayed on it long enough for notifications to radically pop up.

EMMANUEL grabs the laptop from Astrid’s hand and begins to examine the app. He clicks on “additional information,” 

information.

EMMANUEL

She set a personal reminder. It just says flight and calls R for pickup.

JASMINE

R as in Rolls Royce Chauffeur? 

ASTRID

I can’t do this.

ASTRID walks out the door of the basement, leaving the rest of them confused.

LEENA

I think it’s best if we just leave. 

EMMANUEL 

Um I’m gonna stay but yeah you guys should go.

ELIJAH LEENA AND JASMINE grab their things and head down the stairs. 

INT. ASTRIDS BEDROOM

ASTRID is sitting on the edge of her bed flipping through a calendar.

EMMANUEL enters the room and quietly sits next to her.

ASTRID

She kept every event in this journal. Nothing is here.

EMMANUEL

Maybe it’s something she just didn’t want you guys to know?

ASTRID

Something that could lead to harm?

EMMANUEL 

That I don’t know. 

ASTRID lays her head against her shoulder and shuts her eyes.

INT. DINNER TABLE – NIGHT TIME

ASTRID is seated on the chair with her phone in her hands intensely scrolling. PRISCILLA walks into the dining room with a bowl of chicken.

PRISCILLA

Astrid off that phone, help me set the table

PRISCILLA (CONT’D)

Astrid! Are you deaf?

ASTRID

Mommy sorry I’m coming. I was just looking at something.

PRISCILLA

And when you’re done come and get the rice from the kitchen. Put it closer to your dads seat so he can grab it with no complaints.

ASTRID

I hear you.

ASTRID

Why’d you make so much food today? What’s so special?

PRISCILLA

You don’t like food now, don’t eat.

ASTRID

When I didn’t even say that? 

PRISCILLA

It’s never a lot of food. I’m stocking the fridge.

The doorbell rings.

ASTRID
That’s Grandma.

She walks to the front door. Enter GLORI wrapped in green lace kaba and slit.

ASTRID
Grandma! Oo what you got on? Cute.

ASTRID gives her a warm embrace. A tight long hug rocking back and forth. GLORI walks into the dining room. 

GLORI
Eii Akua. My other children must be coming over with all this food.

PRISCILLA

No, just us. Us four. 

An awkward silence instills in the air as grandma sets her bags down.

GLORI

Where’s Daniel?

PRISCILLA 

Astrid, go tell him the food is ready.

ASTRID leaves the room. Glori breaks the ice and leans forward in closing in on Priscilla’s personal space.

GLORI
How are you?

PRISCILLA
I’m doing. 

GLORIA
My Silly. Take a break.

PRISCILLA

What?

ASTRID and her father walk back into the room. She takes the chair opposite from his mother in law. Sitting at the head of the table.

DANIEL
Ma. Good evening. 

GLORI 

Hmm Good evening. Where were you?

DANIEL
Sleeping

GLORI
Always sleeping. 

DANIEL
I come back from work tired, so I sleep. Astrid, go get me a Guiness from the fridge.

GLORI

You don’t need to be drinking that with your meal. The water is fine.

DANIEL

Astrid go get it.

GLORI

Astrid, are you excited to graduate?

ASTRID hesitates before she answers. Edging on her seat.

ASTRID

(Laughing nervously) 

Um yes. I feel like there’s just a lot of things I want to let go. Leave it all in Highschool.

GLORI

I think there’s a lot of things we should all leave behind. 

DANIEL

What are you implying Glori?

GLORI

I’m implying we move on.

DANIE

Move on? How dare you speak of such?

GLORI

I’m not saying forget I am saying don’t live like time is stuck. It isn’t. 

PRISCILLA

I think we just struggle because we want closure, not because we are stuck in time.

ASTRID

Actually during the movie with my friends- 

DANIEL

Don’t tell us how to grieve our child. 

GLORI

I am not doing that. 

DANIEL

Astrid go get me my drink.

ASTRID

Yes. Ok but I had found something-

DANIEL

Keep drinking yourself away. 

He gets up storming out of the dining room. He walks again past the camera view with a green bottle of Guinness in his right hand. Off camera the sound of a dorm slams. 

Priscilla turns to ASTRID trying to regain control of the conversation.

PRISCILLA

Honey what were you trying to say?

ASTRID

It was nothing. I’m full. 

She arises from her chair with her half eaten plate of food and walks toward the kitchen.

INT. ASTRIDS ROOM –

ASTRID walks from the door to the easel in the corner of her room. She stares intensely at her painting, visibly getting uncomfortable. She twists her PINK BRACELET on her wrist. 

ASTRID’s phone buzzes. She removes it from her pocket.

EMMANUEL (TEXT)

Told your mom?

ASTRID (TEXT) 

No, the dinner was horrible. Grandma started calling Dad out and I wanted to hide under the table.

EMMANUEL (TEXT)

That sucks. So what are you gonna do with the ticket info?

ASTRID(TEXT)

Idk I just want to sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow. 

She puts her phone down on her desk. She solemnly walks to her bed removing her sweater and lets out a sigh.

INT. MASTER BEDROOM – NIGHT

DANIEL is laying on the bed with a brown blanket over his head. PRISCILLA walks in, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

PRISCILLA

You can’t respect my mother for just one second can you Dan?

DANIEL

Your mother needs to stop coming to my house.

PRISCILLA

She’s my mother Daniel.

DANIEL

You here to argue or sleep?

Priscilla 

Who are you?

DANIEL

What?

PRISCILLA gets up from the bed and looks directly at DANIEL, ripping the blanket off of him.

PRISCILLA

Who are you? Who did I marry Daniel? Answer me. I didn’t marry a drunk, a father who won’t even listen to their own children speak.

DANIEL

Well I haven’t heard my childrens voices in months, Akua. Months!

PRISCILLA

Don’t forget you have another kid. And we are hurting her. I can see it on her face. As soon as you got up to leave she ran to her room

PRISCILLA (CONT’D)

That’s not right. Not right at all. She’s with her friends more than her family. We are her family. She needs us.

DANIEL

(Screaming)

Get out! Take your words with you. I don’t wanna hear shit from you. 

PRISCILLA takes a few steps back. She moves towards a PURPLE BAG and pulls out a bible from it. She exits the room.

DISSOLVES TO:

INT. – LIVING ROOM – DAY  

PRISCILLA is uncomfortably asleep on a two seated couch. ASTRID walks in, turning on the light switch, subtly waking Priscilla up. 

ASTRID

You slept out here?

PRISCILLA

Accidentally. I was just reading and got tired.

ASTRID

Voluntarily? Or dad didn’t want you reading out loud so you came here? 

PRISCILLA 

(ignoring the question)

You know Astrid, community is everything. The church is always having youth group meetings. You used to love them.

ASTRID

Yeah mom and where was the community when she went missing? And I’m not talking about the day I’m talking about the months after. 

PRISCILLA

Honey-

ASTRID 

Elijah’s outside Mom. I’ll see you later.

ASTRID opens the front door walking quickly towards Elijah’s car. 

EXT. Elijah’s Car

ELIJAH

Hey babe.

ASTRID

Hey.

ELJAH

Excited for school?

ASTRID

Excited, it’s almost over? Yes.

He starts the car up again putting his foot on the pedal. ASTRID leans her head on the window, closing her eyes.

ELIJAH

You’re in a mood.

ASTRID 

(defensively)

How am I in a mood? 

ELIJAH

Okay, you’re in a funk. 

ASTRID

You just keep your eyes on the road.

ELIJAH 

Ouch. cool.

He removes his right hand from the steering wheel. He extends his finger to her shoulder and retreats, making the childlike sound of wince. Shaking off his finger.

ASTRID removes her head from the window, throwing it back while a large smile frames her mouth. 

ELIJAH 

Steaming.

ASTRID

You’re aggravating.

ELIJAH

Oh I’m aggravating? You came in here stomping and slamming car doors.

ASTRID

(whispering)

I didn’t tell my mom.

ELIJAH

Oh. It’s a difficult process. 

ASTRID

Yeah. They’re both just so destroyed and even the mention of her makes them crack. Like dinner yesterday was so horrible I wanted to hide.

They stop at a red light. Elijah runs his hands down his face in exhaustion. 

ELIJAH

Yeah but Astrid, look at me.

(Beat)

ELIJAH

You don’t carry their weight. Not your mom’s, not your dads, and not Esther’s. Just yours. Maybe a little of mine. 

ASTRID

No, your weight is heavy. Thank you Elijah, it means alot.

He quickly puts his hands back on the wheel as the car behind him honks.

MAN IN CAR

Hey, learn how to drive before you get on the road. It’s a green light damn it you fool.

ELIJAH

I was thinking I know we’re all trying to get in last hangouts and what not but I miss just us. Let’s get brunch and hang for just a bit on Saturday? 

ASTRID

I’d like that.

ELIJAH

Me too. 

They both exit the car entering the school parking lot. The lot is filled with different students, standing around in clicks. A group of girls stare intensely at ASTRID and ELIJAH.  

ASTRID

 Okay I’ll see you later. 

ELIJAH

Where are you going?

ASTRID

To class?

ELIJAH

Major’s assembly today.

ASTRID

Oh shit I forgot about that.

ELIJAH

Wow, Astrid Frimpong doesn’t know the day Mr. Mayor Uncle comes to school.

ASTRID

Oh shut up.

INT. MAYORS ASSEMBLY – COGAN A HIGHSCHOOL

Balloons in the Color’s white and blue are seen everywhere throughout the auditorium. A large banner reads “CLASS OF 2030- THE FUTURE IS YOURS.” Students chatter in their seats as they fill up the crowds.

ASTRID and ELIJAH walk in taking their seats in the sixth row.

ELIJAH

This is about to be the longest assembly of our lives.

ASTRID

You think my grandma chats your ear off and waits till Singh opens his mouth.

MAYOR WILLIAM SINGH early 50s, sharp suit with a warm smile enters through the doors. PRINCIPAL DELIN, late 40s, approaches him with a handshake.  

PRINCIPAL DELIN

Students sit in your seats and help us to welcome Mayor Williams.

Applause erupts.

STUDENT (O.S)

Yo Phoenix, tell your dad to cancel the final!

STUDENTS (O.S) 

Yeah Daddy’s boy.

Laughter erupts from the stands. WILLAM grabs the mic from PRINCIPAL DELIN.

WILLAM

Now I can’t cancel finals but I am here to congratulate and celebrate our world’s future in this room.

WILLIAM (CONT’D)

Oh guys give yourself a big round of applause. 

The sound of clapping hands erupts loudly. ELIJAH turns to ASTRID, acting like he is falling asleep.

WILLAM

Now I know all of you guys can look back at yourselves four years ago and wonder how the heck you guys made it to graduation. Some of you barely made it to eight grade graduation. But you made it here and you should be proud. It wasn’t easy and trust me it will be worse from here on out, but stay resilient and wear your eagle pride.

A group of cheerleaders screen shaking their pom-poms up and down.

PRINCIPAL DELIN

Let’s give it up one more time for Mayor Singh.

CAMERA ANGLES IN back on ASTRID. 

ASTRID

That was the grand speech? Couldn’t have been an email.

ELIJAH

As long as I don’t have to go to AP Calc, I’m fine.

They rise from their seats making their way out of the auditorium. 

INT. HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA

WIDE SHOT

The room buzzes with excessive noise. Students laughter and sneaker squeaks it’s the tile floors. ASTRID and her friends are seated in a semi circle around the table. She stares down at her uneaten bowl of jollof rice.

ASTRID
I just keep thinking, why buy a plane ticket and not use it?

CAMERA: OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT from LEENA facing ASTRID.

LEENA 

How do you know it’s not used? Don’t quote me but she could be in New Haven right now.

ASTRID

You implying that she ran away?

LEENA

I mean that’s what my dad and his co-workers say. They’re the professionals. 

ASTRID

They also gave up because they don’t know how to do their job right. So excuse me if I don’t want to listen to Chief Robert from Columbus, Georgia, Dirty South.

LEENA

All I’m trying to say is that she planned something. People don’t just disappear, they vanish on purpose. Especially with flight information.

ELIJAH

I mean, Leena might be right. It’s just one big coincidence that she happened to have a flight booked for that exact day?

JASMINE

Maybe she’s out there singing with a band.

ASTRID

Do you think this a joke?

JASMINE

No, I think it’s the first clue we’ve gotten in months. 

EMMANUEL

What if find out if she got on the flight, and hack the airline system?

JASMINE

Oh, I know a guy. A friend of a friend of course.

ASTRID

And if she got on the flight?

EMMANUEL

Grad trip to the tri state area.

LEENA

Are you guys not seeing the flaws in this whole plan? This is dangerous. 

ASTRID

Leena no one is asking you to-

The bell rings. The sound of students storming to class arises.

ELIJAH

Uhh, I’ll see you guys later.

INT. SCHOOL LIBRARY – DAY

BOY 

Oh my bad

ASTRID 

It’s okay

BOY 2

Look at Luke’s clumsy ass. She’s cute, get her number.

The boys laugh. PHOENIX SINGH, wearing a blue button up shirt with a tie around him next is the only one with a straight face. ASTRID and PHOENIX make eye contact as she walks to the table across from them.

Already seated is Jasmine with her nose in a book.  

ASTRID

Hey.

JASMINE
Hey, you’re here. I was starting to get bored. Look, I even picked up a book.

ASTRID

Aww, I’m so proud of you. I wished you picked it up more often.

JASMINE

Maybe you should’ve been on that flight to New Haven.

ASTRID 

(shocked)

Jasmine?!

JASMINE

Too soon?

ASTRID

Way too soon.

JASMINE

I was doing my research though. Esther was in law school, no?

ASTRID

Yeah she was. Ms. Singh was her mentor.

JASMINE

Maybe Ms. Singh would know a bit about the Ms. JD Conference. It says it’s “A conference meant for Black lawyers and those looking to pursue law to connect, learn and enjoy.” It says there was going to be one in New Haven on the 4th.

ASTRID

Oh.

JASMINE

Yeah, it’s the most logical answer.

ASTRID

Why wouldn’t she say anything?

JASMINE

She could’ve forgotten. I mean, the height of law school, new years, a lot was going on. 

ASTRID

Yeah. 

Switch into Phoenix’s POV 

ANGLE ON PHOENIX

Behind the book case he overhears the conversation being said.

FADE IN

INT. MAYORS HOUSE – NIGHT

PHOENIX walks through the doors of a white house with a spiral staircase. Seated on the couch is LEAH SINGH, mid 40s, lighter skinned woman with footie pajamas on. She is rapidly typing on her laptop. 

He walks toward the couch and takes the seat left of Leah, removing his tie. 

PHOENIX

Mom do you know about any recent Ms. JD conference?

LEAH

Yes I do. They’re usually in Georgia. Why you asking, you got yourself a little law girlfriend? 

PHOENIX

No mom. I just saw some pictures of the one in New Haven.

LEAH

New Haven? They don’t take place down there.

PHOENIX

But Esther was going to one.

LEAH looks up from her screen, getting more comfortable on the couch. She turns her full body towards Phoenix.

LEAH

Esther Frimpong? We never had that planned?

PHOENIX

She never brought it up during your mentor meetings?

LEAH
No honey, because it doesn’t exist. 

(Beat)

LEAH

Why all this sudden talk about Esther?

PHOENIX

Nothing I was just thinking.

LEAH 

Are you speaking with Astrid again? 

PHOENIX

No, not at all. 

LEAH

You should.

LEAH arises from the couch walking out of the frame. PHOENIX watches her leave as he puts his foot up on the edge of the couch. He grabs his phone and begins to scroll through his past messages.

Message with ASTRID. He clicks, hesitating. He looks to the angle in which Leah just walked to. He begins to type.

INT. ASTRID ROOM – NIGHT

ASTRID is sitting on her bed with Esther’s computer by her right side. The flight information is displayed on the screen.

Her phone is turned on Facetime with ELIJAH.

ASTRID

I just still find it weird how she never told me.

ELIJAH 

Or maybe you just don’t remember? We’re you really listening to every law school comment she made?

ASTRID

If she was discussing the legal actions of what’s going to happen to TV characters on a show, then yeah I wasn’t listening. But a trip? I’d know that.

(Beat)

ASTRID(CONT’D)

I just feel like I’ll never get closure.

ASTRID’s phone buzzes.

A text message from 645-928-9855 reads: “There was never a Ms JD in New Haven”

BACK TO SCENE

ASTRID

What the fuck?

ELIJAH

What? 

ASTRID

Phoenix Singh

ELIJAH 

Huh?

A notification pops up on Esther’s laptop. It reads:

GMAIL RE: “Ghosting Me?” – ryanmccoy109@gmail.com.

BLACKOUT

Process

From the year 2022 I have had this idea in my head of a mystery story that unfolds alongside multiple aspects of culture and faith. Whether it comes to norms and religious texts, to have it align. From those days, I have been working toward its development. During a workshop with multiple women who have served as actresses, producers and directors, the motivation to keep going increased. From restless days where writers block took over my mind, to the days where I knew my characters could reflect the lives of someone else came to be, Things Left Unsaid.